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AN SSSAY 

ON THE 

SETTING FORTH ITS GREAT USEFULNESS, 
GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

IN 

FRANCE AND ENGLAND, 

AND EXHIBITING THE FACILITY AND UTILITY OF INSTITUTING 
SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE 

■CJNITBD STATES. 

A FEW HINTS UPON THE PROPRIETY OF CONNECTING 
THEREWITH AN 

IKSURANCE UPON THE LIVES OF HORSES. 

0®C- 

BY PETER a/ BROWNE, L.L.D., 

PROFESSOn OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGT IN LAFAXETTE COLLEGE, EA8T0N, PA. J 
PnOFESSOR OF GEOLOGY IN THE CABINET*^ OF NATURAL SCIENCE IN MONT- 
GOMERY COUNTY ; MEMBER OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF 
PENNSYLVANIA; AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER 
OF THE CABINET OF SCIENCE OF 
CHESTER COUNTY. 



*• Ducit amor patriae." 



-T PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED BY JOHN THOMPSON, 
Corner of Market and Second Streeti^ 

1837. 



TO THE 

HOIV. H£i>Kir CliAY, 

THE ENLIGHTENED STATESMAN, 

THE FIRM PATRIOT, 
THE PATRON OF AMERICAN TALENT, 



THE FRIEND OF AMERICAN INDUSTRY, 

EMa little ISsiaag in respectfttllg fnjscrCfieti 

BY 
HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, 

THE AUTHOIt 



AN ESSAY 



ON THE 



VETERINARY ART, &€ 



The word Science in its most comprehensive sense means 
Knowledge; — in its general acceptation it is "Knowledge re- 
duced to a system;'' that is to say, arranged in regular order, so 
that it can be conveniently taught, — easily remembered, — and 
readily applied to useful purposes. 

An Art is the application of knowledge to some practicable 
end, — to answer some ornamental or useful purpose. The Arts 
are divided into the^^ze* and the useful. 

If the knowledge be merely accumulative experience, the art 
is called empiracal; but if the knowledge is experience, guided 
by reason, — based upon general principles, — and brought under 
their control, it is a scientific art. 

Veterinary comprehends a knowledge of the external form as 
well as the internal structure and economy of domestic quad- 
rupeds, the appropriate management of them, and the nature, 
causes and cure of their diseases. 

The VETERiNARYt is *'a SCIENTIFIC Art" in the strictest sense 
of the term. It invites its votaries to the following studies, 
viz : — - 

1st. The different species, and various races of the domestic 
animals; — their different breeds; — the uses to which each breed 
is applicable; — the useful crossings of breeds; — and the most 
economical and best methods oi producing, rearing ^ndi feeding 
each class and breed. 

2nd. The breaking, educating, training and fattening cer- 
tain domestic animals. 

3rd. Commercial jurisprudence, as regards domestic animals; 
including the uses to which can be applied, to the best advantage, 
their flesh, hides, offals of their hides, tallow, hair, wool, 
horns, teeth, hoofs, entrails, blood and bones, 

• The Fine Arts are Architecture, Painting, Sculpture and Engraving. 
f Veterinarius, a farrier, or one who lets horses to hire — Columella. 



4th. The study of the outward forms of domestic animals, 
pointing out their beauties^ marks of strength and speedy and 
their defects; together with the methods of ascertaining their 
ages. 

5th. The internal structure of domestic animals; — their ana- 
tomy; their comparative anatomy; and the most humane and 
economical methods of making use of their speed and strength- 

6th. The various foods used for the nourishment of different 
domestic animals; — the different methods of ram/?.?? curing and 
preserving them with the greatest economy, and in the greatest 
abundance. 

7th, The various medicines required for domestic animals; — 
the most approved methods of raising, curing and preserving 
those that are botanical; — a general knowledge of those that are 
miner alogical; together with the manner of m,ixing, preparing 
and administering both those that are botanical and those that 
are mineralogical. 

8th. The most effectual methods of preserving domestic ani- 
mals from contracting diseases-^ — and the most approved means 
of curiiig those that contract diseases; — together with the me- 
thods used to prevent contagion and infection among them. 

9th. The most approved plans for preserving domestic animals 
from accidents and injuries, and the performance of all kinds of 
surgical operations upon those that require them. 

lOth. The most approved methods of shoeing certain domes- 
tic animals; either generally, or when diseased or lame. 

Among the animals which the ingenuity and perseverance of 
man have succeeded in domesticating, several much valued in 
other countries have not been introduced into the United States. 
As an example merely, I would mention the Camel, an animal that 
has been enslaved by our species from the earliest periods of time; 
an animal which is prolific in its state pf captivity, possessing 
fleetness, strength and activity, surpassing that of most beasts of 
burthen; docile and contented with small quantities of the coarsest 
food furnished after long fastings, and abstaining from drink for 
a great length of time ; an animal whose skin is capable of 
being tanned, and of whose wool is wrought the finest fabric^, 
while its young furnishes the most delicious food. Why should 
it not be a valuable acquisition t,o the inhabitants of the prairies 
of our far west? Even among the species of domestic animals 
common among us many varieties are wanting. Among the 
horses are the gigantic draught horses of the London brewers, 
distillers and coal merchants, which for figure and strength have 
no parallel; — many breeds of oxen, cows and sheep; — and of the 
goat, that variety which furnishes the material employed in the. 
manufacture of the much admired Cashmere Shawls. Even among 
the dogs we.have much improvement to make; the shepherd's dog, 



and some others are known to us through the accounts of travel- 
lers only. 

As mining operations progress in this country, we will re- 
quire a much more abundant supply of Jack asses and mules. 

One object of a Veterinary College is to encourage the intro- 
duction of useful animals into the country; another is the proper 
crossing of breeds already possessed; to which, it is well known 
that too little attention has hitherto been paid. 

The Veterinary art also purports to teach the producing, rear- 
ing and feeding each class and breed of domestic animals, accord- 
ing to the most approved methods practiced in foreign countries, 
and there founded upon the union of science and experience. It 
is hardly possible to convey to the minds of those who have not 
travelled, and who have not paid particular attention to this part 
of the subject, an adequate impression of our deficiencies. , 

The breaking, educating, training and fattening of domestic 
animals, form the next and by no means inconsiderable items of in- 
struction. It has often been remarked by foreigners, (and the 
remark is by no means unjust) that too little attention is almost 
every where in the United States paid to the breaking of horses. 
This important operation is generally left in the hands of unskil- 
ful persons, — men who have no scientific and very little practical 
knowledge of the subject; the consequences are that these ani- 
mals are badly broke, perhaps contract vicious habits — they are 
rendered less useful all their lives, and not unfrequently serious 
accidents occur, sometimes attended wath the loss of the limbs or 
even the lives of valuable citizens. The more our cities increase 
in population, and the greater the number of rail roads by which 
our country is traversed, the more necessary will it become that 
our cattle should be well broke, and hence the introduction into 
the United States of a College, where the art of breaking them 
will be taught, cannot fail to be productive of encreasing good. 

Upon the proper training and educating of some other of the do- 
mestic animals, depends much of their usefulness. The dog, 
which here is an indolent animal, is in many countries made to 
earn his bread — the goat performs many operations useful in ma- 
nufactures and the arts, and even the cow is often obliged to work 
like an ox. 

Nor is the fattening of animals elsewhere as here left to chance; 
but is regulated by rules founded upon fixed principles and con- 
firmed by long experience. But to understand all these impor- 
tant matters requires study, and the direction of proper teachers, 
who have been long accustomed to the details. 

Under the head of *' Commercial jurisprudence as regards the 
raising and using domestic animals," an immense deal of useful 
information can be disseminated. By means of this information, 
the owners of this kind of property are enabled to profit, to the 



utmost, of all their component parts; — their flesh, their hides, the 
offals of their hides, their tallow, their hair or wool^ their brains, 
their horns, their teeth, their hoofs, their entrails, their blood and 
bones may all be turned to good account; and those only who are 
apprized of the different purposes in economy and the arts, to 
which each of these can be best applied, can be said to understand 
perfectly the value of their possessions, or to know how to repay 
themselves for the labor and risk of rearing them. But all these 
are matters of scientific art which require to be studied, and 
which are taught in the Colleges in question. All perishable 
commodities, (and few deserve the epithet better than cattle,) 
must necessarily be high priced, and hence the owner should be 
enabled to make an adequate profit. 

The study of the outward forms of animals enables us to de- 
termine accurately upon their actual and comparative strength and 
speed, and teaches how to make a proper choice in the selection 
of those individuals destined to propogate their species. A mat- 
ter which is of the greatest magnitude in a young country like 
the United States. This study also enables us in the purchase of 
animals, to detect their patent or latent defects, and secures us 
against the numerous impositions practised by professed jockies. 

** Though in his whole nature and character (says a celebrated 
'* English author,) there is not, I believe, an honest^r animal in 
<*the world than a horse, yet there must be something assuredly 
**in a habitual intercourse with him, which is very detrimental 
**to honesty in others; for certainly — and I believe in all ages it 
** has been so — there cannot be conceived a race of more arrant 
** cheats and swindlers than the whole set of jockies, grooms and 
** horse dealers."* 

A great many of the expedients resorted to by a certain class 
of persons in England to practise successfully frauds upon the 
unwary, are well depicted in a little work there published a few 
years ago, entitled **The adventures of a gentleman in search of 
a horse." It would also appear from the same volume, that in 
England, as they do here, great difficulties exist in determining 
what amounts to unsoundness. *^ In a horse dealer's estimation 
"(says the author) unsoundness does not and cannot exist — in a 
** farrier's judgment, every horse in creation is unsound, unless 
**the seller is his customer, (p. 34.) A lawyer will tell you, that 
"every horse is sound that is not diseased, or menaced with dis- 
"ease, to a degree that incapacitates him for fair and serviceable 
"exertion in that labor for which he is sold. A dealer or his 
"ostler, will vouch for the soundness of every animal that can 
•''place a foot before the other, or manage to stand upon all four." 
(p. 127.) Between these conflicting authorities, to whom are 



• De L'Orme, 



yeu to appeal? To the Surgeons of the Veterinary School, who 
alone are capable of deciding. 

I have known law cases here, turning upon the soundness or 
unsoundness of a horse, to occupy days and even weeks, during 
which time numerous witnesses on either side, mutually contra- 
dicting each other, have been examined; nor did the evil arise 
from the perjury of the witnesses so much as their want of skill 
and judgment. Any one of these cases might have been settled, 
— justly settled, in a few minutes by a Veterinarian. Is not this 
an unfortunate state of society, so far as regards its peace and har- 
mony, where the Veterinary Art is so little understood, and where 
therefore Juries and Courts must necessarily rely upon the vague 
and unsatisfactory evidence of ignorant farriers or prejudiced 
ostlers? 

That they are ignorant and prejudiced will further appear 
from a remark of the same writer, and which I am sure many of 
my readers know to be just, viz. 'Uhat (if these people are to be 
" believed) no horse is ever ill before he is transferred by sale! — 
*' \ki^ first appearance of every disorder with which Veterinarians 
'^are familiar, is the second or third day after the animal is com- 
"fortably housed in a new stable.'' 

Of still greater importance, if possible, is the study of the m- 
ternal structure of domestic animals, — their anatomy, — their 
comparative anatomy are taught in the Veterinary Schools, as the 
basis of Veterinary Surgery, and forms one of the most delightful 
as it is one of the most useful studies. 

Next in point of rank and importance, is the raising, ctiring, 
and preserving all the various foods used in the sustenance of the 
different domestic animals. This knowledge is important, not 
only as it regards the preservation of private property, but as it is 
connected with considerations of political economy. Many foods 
used for domestic animals in Europe, are not at all cultivated in 
the United States; others are badly attended to, and according to 
the methods of curing some crop'^, and of feeding cattle in some 
parts of our country, a large proportion is wasted. Upon all 
these points there is room for great improvement; in many places 
in the old world these things have been reduced to systems, and 
by the introduction of the proposed School we may be enabled 
to profit by their long experience. 

By a strict attention to the food of domestic animals and to 
cleanliness, they may, in a considerable degree, be preserved from 
diseases, and consequently from bodily suflfering, and this atten- 
tion it is our duty to bestow. In their domesticated state, they 
are not so hardy as when in a state of nature, and most of their 
diseases spring from a want of those precautions required by their 

2 



10 

artificial character of life.* From these ills we are bound by the 
laws of God and man to preserve them as far as in our power lies. 
But should they be overtaken by disease, the next item of in- 
struction of the proposed school, conveys to us a knowledge of 
the medicines which are used, either to alleviate their sufferings, 
or effectuate their cures. When these are botanical, the pupil is 
instructed how to cultivate them, and when they are mineralogi- 
cal, where to search for them, how to collect them, and how to 
purify them: and in either case the mixing, preparing and ad- 
ministering them, are objects of this scientific art. Indeed the 
method of administering medicines to domes'ic animals forms a 
distinct and important branch of study, and of the same character 
is the performance of all surgical cperr.tions. By these means 
the lives of many animals are saved and their usefulness continu- 
ed, and the owners of others, upon whom their prolonged exist- 
ence would only be a charge, have the pleasure to contemplate 
them restored to health, sources of profit t.nc. satisfaction. 

On the score of preserving them from contagion and infection, 
it may not be amisjs to add that the community may be more par- 
ticularly interested than at iirst appears, since it has been ascer- 
tained that the glanders, a disease which generally proves fatal to 
the horse, can be communicated to the human species. This was 
a point long disputed by pathologists, but which is now set at rest 
byapaper from thepen of Dr.Elliotson,thePresident of the British 
Medical and Chirurgical Society, read 12th March, 1833, in 
which he narrates the case of William Johnson, a patient in St. 
Thomas' Hospital, who caught the disease from a horse, while 
acting as his groom, and who died after seventeen days suffering 
of great bodily prin. It has long since been known that man 
owes the small pox to the camel, and the cow pox to the cow. 

But in the present state of the Veterinary art in this country, 
the most humane owner of a horse is uaable to procure him medi- 
cal aid. 

A friend of mine, some years since, entertained an apprehen- 
sion that a very valuable stud had something the matter with his 
eyes. He sent him to a neighboring farrier for examination, but 
with strict injunctions to do nothing till he came. The master 
of the horse was detained longer than he expected, and when he 
arrived at the shop of the horse doctor, he was informed that an 
operation had been performed. In order to understand its na- 
ture, we must premise that in addition to the upper and lower 
lids of the eye, which the horse possesses in common with man, 
the latter has a nictitatingt membrane, arising from the internal 
angle of the eye; with this, which forms a transparent veil, he 

• Adventures of a Gentleman in search of a Horse— p. 135. 
t Winking. 



11 

eati fcoVer the pupil in whole or in part. This additional cover- 
ing was intended, no doubt, by nature, to further defend the eye 
from injury, when the animal is seeking his food. By passing it 
over the ball, which the animal can do at pleasure, the dust, 
which would otherwise accumulate and injure his vision, is brush- 
ed away. My friend was horror struck when he found that the 
ignorant brute to whom he had sent his horse, had cut this mem- 
brane out of both his eyes! 

Lastly^ certain domestic animals require to be shod, and the 
unskilful performance of this operation has been a subject of ge- 
neral and just complaint in almost every part of the United States. 
Is it not owing entirely to the want of knowledge upon the sub- 
ject, and would not the Veterinary School work a complete re- 
volution in this particular also? The foot of the horse is enclosed 
in a horny case, called the hoof. The part where the hoof ap- 
pears to unite with the skin at the top, or more properly speaking, 
at the root, is called the coronet. The crust of the hoof extends 
towards the heel and there curves abruptly, inwards. The ends 
are called the bars. These latter are not always perceptible, for 
from a mistaken and mischievous policy of the farrier, whose 
ambition is to give the foot an open appearance, at the expense 
of safety and soundness, they are usually cut away in paring the 
foot for the shoe; and this they czW. putting the foot in order.* 

The frog is an elastic horny substance between the bars, occu- 
pying about a fourth part of the foot, and in shape like the letter 
Y inverted. It is also the practice to reduce or pare away the 
frog. To do this, so as to preserve it from the first contact with 
the ground, is perhaps judicious; but farriers go much further, 
and thus deprive the animal of the entire use of this part of his 
foot, which was evidently designed by nature, by its elasticity, to 
break the jar of the descending foott 

There are three Veterinary Colleges in France, J which are es- 
tablished respectively at Altfort, (near Paris,) at Lyons, and at 
Toulouse. The one at Lyons lays claim to the greatest antiquity, 
having been founded in 1763, by Bourgelat. The one at Altfort 
Was erected in 1766, by the same illustrious nobleman, who en- 
joyed during the whole of his life the situation of director to these 
establishments, at the same time that he was a professor at the 
school of Lyons. He also wrote and published several works on 
the Veterinary Art, one in particular on 'Uhe Anatomy of the 

• See Adventures of a Gentleman in search of a Horse. 

f See Adventures of a Gentleman in search of a Horse. 

i For much valuable information in relation to the French Veterinary Schools^ 
I am indebted to the amiable and venerable Professor Mons. Desmarct, for 
whose politeness and attention bestowed when I paid a very interesting visit to 
Altfort in the summer of 1837, 1 tender my sincere acknowledgment. 



12 

Horse,'' which is still held in high estimation, although it may 
be deficient in the improvements to which the art has since at- 
tained. 

The school of Toulouse was opened upon the restoration of the 
Bourbons. 

The students of Altfort belong principally to the departments 
of the north of France; those of the south are divided between 
the school of Lyons and that of Toulouse. Nevertheless those 
students who pay their board are at liberty to make choice of the 
schools. 

The school of Altfort has as many scholars as both the others. 
The number at present is nearly three hundred at Altfort, while 
at neither Lyons nor Toulouse, are there more than one hun- 
dred and fifty. 

The object of instituting the school at Toulouse was to form a 
Veterinary applicable principally to the treatment o/* horned 
CATTLE, — oxen and sheep; but the study of the diseases of the 
horse is there made as in the other colleges. In the southern de- 
partments of France, oxen are more generally employed in the 
labors of the field. 

The means of instruction are greater at Altfort than in either 
of the other schools. The corps of instruction is there more nu- 
merovis, — the buildings are larger, and the grounds more exten- 
sive than at either Lyons or Toulouse. At Altfort, is to be found 
an agricultural enclosure, upon a scale large enough to instruct 
the students, practically, how to cultivate all the plants employed 
in the nourishment of domestic animals, as well as all those used 
as their medicines. 

All these schools belong to the department of 'Hhe Minister 
who has the direction of Commerce and of the Public Works." 
He employs a chief clerk, whose occupations, exclusively, are the 
affairs of the directors, professors, and either functionaries of the 
Veterinary schools, and whatever else concerns the three estab- 
lishments. All the schools are also subject to the visitation of 
^* the inspector general of appointments," an officer of the French 
Government, who has a salary of 8000 francs per annum, besides 
being allowed his expenses every time he pays a visit to the 
schools. This dignitary presides, alternately, at the establish- 
ments, over the annual examination of the pupils; which takes 
place in the month of August. He also presides over a body, 
called '"the Jury," whose duty it is to make choice of professors 
and chiefs of the establishment, (chef de service,) when those 
places become vacant. Formerly his duties were much more 
extensive. 

Each school has a Director, who is ordinarily chosen from 
among the professors, and who ought to be a Veterinarian; but 



13 

it seems that this rule has exceptions, for the present director of 
the school of Lyons was not. 

The professors ought to he Veterinarians, or at least to have 
received diplomas. 

The College at Altfort is composed of the following corps of 
instruction: — 

I. A professor of Zootomy or Veterinary Anatomy,* and of 
general Anatomy, together with the knowledge of the exterior 
forms of domestic animals. It is a part of his duty- to point out 
the heauties and defects of horses, and to teach the method of 
telling their ages. 

II. A professor of Natural History, as applicable to the Vete- 
rinary Art. — Zoology! and comparative Anatomy — Vegetable 
Physics. X These sciences are restricted to that knowledge which 
is susceptible of being applied to the Veterinary Art; for example 
among the plants those are selected for dissection and example, 
which are used as nourishment or medicine for the domestic ani- 
mals. 

But all plants whose seeds are used as food are deemed Vete- 
rinary. 

III. A professor of Physics§ — of Chemistry and of Pharma- 
cology. This professor also reduces the several sciences he 
teaches to the principal object of instruction; not entirely ne- 
glecting, however, those natural phenomena, which are not at 
all, or but little connected with the Veterinary Art. 

IV. A professor of Pathology, || whose duty it is to make 
known the diseases of brute animals, and to point out the best 
means of effecting their cures. 

This professor has also charge of the police health of the es- 
tablishment. 

V. A professor of Veterinary Surgery,1[ and of Surgery in 
general. This professor, besides delivering theoretical lessons, 
is obliged to perform, under the eyes of the students, all kinds 

* That part of Zoology which teaches us to dissect an animal, is called •* Ana- 
tomy." When applied to brute animals it is sometimes called " Zootomy;" and 
when it points out the relations between the structures of different animals, it 
is called " Comparative Anatomy." 

\ Zoology treats of animals generally, not being confined to a description of 
their external forms, but embracing all the known phenomena of life and ani- 
mal motion, together with their wonderful instincts and habits. 

4 By «' Vegetable Physics," is meant "Botany." 

§ " Physics" is synominous with "Natural Philosophy.* 

11 ♦• Pathology" is the science of diseases and their cures. " Medicine" is the 
act of healing or of alleviating them. 

^ " Surgery" is that branch of the healing art which cures or preyents dis- 
eases, by the application of the hand^ with or without instruments. 



14 

of surgical operations required to be performed upon domestic 
animals. 

He is also obliged to give lessons in Farriery, and in commer- 
cial jurisprudence as regards the Veterinary Art. 

VI. The Director is, ex officio^ a professor, and gives lessons 
in the art of breaking and educating domestic animals. He also 
has the charge of the study of the breeds of animals, and points 
out to the students where the crossing of breeds is attended with 
advantage, according to the different uses to which the animals 
are to be applied. 

The Director-professor receives a salary of 6000 francs per 
annum. 

The professor of Anatomy has the title of '* adjunct professor,'^ 
and receives a salary of 3400 francs per annum. 

The other four professors bear the following titles, viz: — 1st. 
of Chemistry. 2d. of Natural History. 3d. of Pathology, and 
4th of Surgery — and each receives 4000 francs per annum. 

To assist the professors, each has an assistant (" chef de ser- 
vice") with salaries, varying from 2400 francs to 1800 francs per 
annum. The duties of these assistants are, to repeat the lessons, 
— to repeat the experiments and operations more at leisure, — and 
to examine the students. One of them has the care of the pre- 
parations of Pharmacy. 

There is a fine gallery at Altfort, containing a large collection 
of anatomical preparations, beautifully arranged, so that the stu- 
dents can examine each part separately or the whole animal parts 
connected. Here also may be seen the skeletons of most of the 
domestic animals — deformed and injured bones — jaws of horses^ 
with the teeth exhibiting their state at every age, — calcareous 
and silecious secretions extracted from the stomachs and intes- 
tines of animals, and in fact every thing that can shed the least 
light upon the principal subject of study of ttie institution. 

This gallery is under the direction of the professor of Anatomy 
and his "chef de service," who also have the care of the hall of 
dissection. 

The botanical garden is under the care of the professor of Bo- 
tany, and his ** chef de service," or assistant who has a salary of 
900 francs per annum- 

The garden contains upwards of 800 species of plants, scienti- 
^cally arranged. 

The professor of Physics and Chemistry has the direction of 
the Museum of Physics, and of the Laboratories of Chemistry 
and Pharmacy. 

To the professor of Pathology and Surgery, belongs the super- 
intendance of the Hospitals or Infirmaries, where the sick ani- 
mals are treated. The horses, horned cattle, dogs, &c. are all 



15 

kept In separate places. In order that the students may always 
have subjects for instruction, sick animals are received into the 
Infirmary at very low prices. A sick horse costs the owner but 
2^*Q° francs per diem; and a sick dog only ^^^ of a franc per day. 

This professor has also the direction, and his ^* chef de service" 
has the care of all the furniture and effects belonging to the 
Hospitals. 

There is a foreman or superintendent belonging to the Forge- 
ries, (Mareshal) who has a salary of 1200 francs per annum. — 
His duty is to attend to the forges — to give instruction to the 
students in farriery. For this purpose the pupils are assembled, 
by sections. There are eight furnaces with each a bellows, so 
that sixteen students can work at the same time. These sixteen 
are furnished, and successively replaced at intervals, according to 
their respective numbers. In the shed belonging to the Forgery 
is a bench several hundred feet long, to which the feet of dead 
horses are fastened; upon these the students practice the art of 
shoeing in the first instance. 

There is also a room containing specimens of upw^ards of fifty 
different kinds of shoes, invented for horses and oxen. 

The establishment is provided with two amphitheatres, one 
very large, for the delivery of lectures, and a smaller one for the 
different lessons in physics, chemistry, &c. &c. 

For each day, certain students are detailed for particular stu- 
dies, viz. — one set for anatomy, another for forgery, and a third 
for pharmacy, and hospital duty, &c. and two students are daily 
detailed to preside over the kitchen, and to attend to the receipt 
of the food. 

The duration of the studies is four years. 

Note. — One of the professors informed me that in practice four 
years had been found generally to be too long. 

Their studies are as follows: 

1st. year. Osteology,*— Myology,!— Physics, J— the exterior 
of animals — Veterinary Vegetable Physics,§ — and Botany in ge- 
neral. 

2d. year. Splanchnology, ||— general Anatomy — Chemistry — 
Specific or Veterinary Botany — the knowledge of species, breeds 
and genders of animals — Pharmacology .IF 

* " Osteology," is that branch of Anatomy which treats of the bones. 

f *' Myology," is that part of Anatomy which treats of the muscles. 

^ «• Physics," is synominous with " Natural Philosophy." 

§ By "Vegetable Physics," is meant « Botany." 

n " Splanchnology," is that branch of Anatomy which treats of the "Viscera, 
including not only the Viscera of the abdomen, but all the organs contained in 
the other cavaties of the body, as the brain, lungs, &c. 

% " Pharmacology,'* is the knowledge of drugs and medicines. 



16 

3r1. year. Animal and comparative Physiology* — the first part 

of Pathologyt and Surgery. 

4th. year. Commercial jurisprudence as regards the Veterina- 
ry Art4 and police health; the second parts of Pathology and 
Surgery, and the breaking and education of domestic animals. 

Note. — The students of the third and fourth years attend to- 
gether to the lessons in Pathology and Surgery, — in commercial 
jurisprudence, — in the breaking and education of animals, and 
in police health. 

The students of the third and fourth years are also exercised 
twice a week, in the spring, in the practice of surgical operations 
of living animals. 

There are two general examinations that take place each year, 
for the purpose of classifying the students according to merit* 
The first of these i-s in the month of March, and the other in the 
month of August. The second is followed by the distribution of 
prizes. Each year's study has attached to it, a first and second 
prize. 

The students of the fourth year, who are found to be capable, 
receive a diploma of Veterinary , 

If a student is found deficient in any year's study, he is obliged 
to renew the study of that year. If, at the end of a second year, 
he is still found deficient, he is sent away from the school. 

Such of the students as do not waste their time, receive their 
diplomas in four years; those on the contrary, who are idle, may 
be detained eight years, and even then not be competent Veteri- 
narian. 

Books of account of the establishment are kept, in which are 
registered all the receipts and expenses of every denomination. 
Abstracts of these are, semi-annually, rendered to the Minister. 
The Treasurer of the institution, who keeps these books, receives 
a salary of 4000 francs per annum. 

There is also a superintendent in chief, who receives 2000 
francs per annum, and two sub-superintendents, who each receive 
1900 francs per annum. 

The library contains three or four thousand volumes. They 
are principally works of Veterinary — of Agriculture — and Natu- 
ral^History. 



* " Physiology," in its most extensive sense, is defined to be " the doctrine 
of the constitution of the works of nature.*' " Animal and comparative Phy- 
siology" is synominous with " Zoology." 

f " Pathology," is the science of diseases, and of their cures. 

+ " Commercial Jurisprudence as regards the Veterinary Art,*' has been cx» 
plsuned— (p. 7.) 



IT 

The librarian, who is obliged to give lessons in grammar, re- 
ceives 2000 francs per annum. 

The secretary of the Director receives 1200 francs per annum, 

A respectable physician, who is oblio;ed to visit the institution 
at Ieas)tonce every day, receives 1200 francs per annum. 

There is an infirmary for such of the students as fall sick, and 
out-door nurses are allowed. These are generally the Sisters of 
Charity. 

Add to these, a competent number of persons, to take care of 
the domestic animals — gardeners, cooks, and waiters; and the 
** corps d' instruction" of the establishment is complete. 

The schools of Lyons and Toulouse, according to an ordinance, 
are each provided with a director professor, three professors, two 
** chefs de service" and a register. 

They have neither cabinet of preparations, nor botanical gar- 
den, nor physical museum. 

The students of all the schools are under the direction of thir- 
ty-nine rules or ordinances, which are strictly enforced by th€^ 
functionaries. 

The students of the establishments are received into it, in dif- 
ferent ways. 

1st. By their relations paying their entire expenses. 

2d. By paying half their expenses, the other half being paid 
by the government, under the direction of the Minister of Com- 
merce; these are called ** Royal half Pursers." 

3d. A certain number of either half or whole pursers are voted 
for, annually, by the general council of the several departments. 
This class is called the " Department Pursers." 

4th. Certain learned Societies pay for a certain number of 
whole or half pursers, for instance "the Royal Society," " The 
Royal and Central Society of Agriculture." 

5th. There are also students, fl// of whose expenses are paid by 
the Minister of War. They are the sons of military men. These 
students are subjected to particular conditions. They contract to 
serve for eight years; the first four in the school, the remaining 
four years as Veterinarians in the diflferent regiments of cavalry. 

If they do not obtain their diplomas in four years, they are 
obliged to serve the other four as common soldiers, and if requir- 
ed, to repay the expenses uselessly expended in endeavoring to 
teach them. 

No one can be admitted without the permission of '< the Min- 
ister of Commerce and of the Public Works. " That permission is 
given generaliy to those students only who pay their board and 
for their tuition. 

3 



is 

To be admitted, the applicant must be at least sixteen, and not 
over twenty-five years of age — must write a legible hand — must 
possess such a knowledge of the French language, by principle 
and practice, as will enable him to write correctly, from dicta- 
tion; — to be able to forge, at two heats, a shoe for a horse or ox. 
Those who are twenty years of age, must moreover show, that 
they have complied with the laws relating to the recruiting ser- 
vice. The documents necessary to accompany their request to 
be admitted are, — a certificate of birth, — a certificate that they 
have had the small pox, or have been vaccinated, — and a certifi- 
cate of good character. 

Students may be introduced either directly by their relations, 
or through the prefects of the departments; but the applications 
must be made before the first of September at furthest. The 
time of opening the preparatory examination is on the first of 
October. 

There are at the schools of Altfort, Lyons and Toulouse, eigh- 
ty-six pursers, or gratuitous students, which each department has 
an equal right to nominate, subject to the approbation of the Mi- 
nister; and thirty-four are at the direct disposal of the Minister. 
They are all divided into * Mi alf pursers," and the situations are 
given to the students who have furnished proof of good conduct, 
— of zeal and of success in their studies. For this purpose, the 
notes of the half yearly examination of students are always con- 
sulted by the Minister, who also takes into consideration the pe- 
cuniary situation of their families. Thus a student who com- 
mences his studies by paying a/w// board, may after six months 
study, obtain a "half purse;" and the next year^ if he continue 
to conduct himself well, may obtain a '* full purse.'' 

The Minister keeps forty students at this school, whose places 
are entirely gratuitous. In making the selection, the preferences 
given are as follows: — 4 

1st. To the sons of Military Veterinarians. 

2d. To the sons of sub-ofiicers of Cavalry. 

3d. To the sons of Troopers admitted in the regiment of Ca- 
valry. 

Applications for these situations must be made to the Ministei; 
of War. 

The English have a Veterinary College at Camden Town, city 

of London. It was established in 1791, under the auspices of 

V persons of distinguished rank, and is managed by a President, 

ten Vice Presidents, twenty-four Directors, a Professor, and a 

Treasurer. 

The buildings are extensive, and admirably adapted to the va- 
rious purposes to which they are applied. The stables are well 
arranged, well ventilated, the ceilings lofty, the stalls w^ide, and 
there are large spaces between the stables and the opposite walli. 



19 

It has an amphitheatre for the delivery of lectures, a dissecting 
hall, and a gallery of anatomical preparations. 

For an annual subscription to this College of three guineas, any 
one can be assured of having a sick or disabled horse treated with 
all the skill of which the present state of the Veterinary Art ad- 
mits. And he is equally certain that disease will not be prolong- 
ed, to increase the length of the farrier's bill.* 

For one guinea, you may obtain a written opinion from the 
Professor, as to the soundness or unsoundness of a horset It is 
stated in Boardman's Dictionary of the Veterinary Art, that the 
public are indebted for this truly national foundation, to the hu- 
manity, discernment, and patriotic exertions of a country Agri- 
cultural Societ>^ that of Odiham in Hampshire; and that the first 
Professor was a Frenchman, of the name of St. Bel, who had 
previously distinguished himself as a Veterinary Anatomist and 
writer, by dissecting and describing different parts of the famous 
race horse Eclipse, so much known and admired for his swift- 
ness. 

In 1792 a Veterinary School was established at Berlin, in 
Prussia. 

To teach the Veterinary Art with success in the United States, 
it would be necessary to have — 

1st. An Agricultural enclosure of sufficient extent to cultivate 
upon a scale large enough for instruction, specimens of all the 
plants used in the nourishment of domestic animals; and also 
ground enough to keep the domestic animals, upon whose breeds 
or crossings of breeds, experiments are being performed. 

2d. A botanical garden, extensive enough to cultivate the plants 
used as medicines for the domestic animals. 

3d. College buildings, including an amphitheatre for the deli- 
very of lectures,— school rooms— a gallery or museum room, — a 
library room, — a dissecting room,— a forgery, — hospitais for the 
sick animals under treatment,— stabling or sheds for those under 
experiment, — dormitories, a dining room, hospital rooms, and a 
kitchen for students, and apartments for the officers. 

4th. The officers required would be: 
One Director Professor. 
Four Professors, viz. 

1 of Anatomy. 

2. of Botany. 

3. Chemistry and Pharmacy. 

4. Pathology, Surgery and Farriery. 

Four Teachers, one Farrier, one Librarian and attendants, 

• Adventures of a Gentleman in search of a Horse. 
t Ibid. 



«0 



5th. A library — a museum of anatomical preparations — a col- 
lection of minerals, and a herbarium. 

Experience has proved that four years is a longer term of study 
than is necessary, even in France, where the students are ad- 
milted at sixteen years of ngf^, and with no other ecUication than 
beinjj; able to read and write; American students of sixteen years 
vsrould be much more advanced in education. 

A i!;]ance at the follovvino; ennumeration of the expenses of the 
school at Altfort, will al^so convince us that much money is there 
uselessly expended, and yet it will be seen that the school is a 
source of profit to the French Government. 

The ground and buildings at Altfort cost the Government about 100,000 
francs. 



The annual interest on 100,000 francs at 5 per cent. 

One third of the salary of the Clerk of the Minister of the 
Interior, his duties extending to the three Schools, 

One third of the salary of the Inspector General, 

The salary of the Director Professor, . . . - 

Do. of liis Secretaries, 

Do. of the Professor of Anatomy, 
Do. of four other Professors at 4000 francs each, 
• Do. of five Chefs de Service, . . . . 
Do. of a Botanical Gardener, . . . - 

Do. of the superintendent of the Forgeries, 
Do. of the Treasurer of the Institution, 
Do. of one superintendent and his two assistants, 

Do. of the Librarian, 

Do. of the Physician of the Institution, - 
Do. of the Gardeners, Cooks, Waiters, &c. 

ProTisions for three hundred students for one year, at ten 
%ow% per pay, ...... 



Francs. 
5,000 

1,666 

1,266 

6.000 

1,200 

3,400 

16.000 

10,200 

900 

1,200 

^3,000 

5,800 

2,000 

1,200 

10,000 

54,000 

123,832 



The School yields as follows, viz: — 

, 300 students pay for their boarding per annum, 
4« « .« « tuition •' 

The profits of the Infirmary of Animals per nnnum, 



Francs. 

108,000 
60,000 
30,000 



198,000 
To this might be added the profits on the Animals reared. 

The expenses of erecting a Veterinary College in the United 
States, may be estimated as.follows: — 



The land, say 125 acres of land, at $100 per acre, 
The buildings, . - . - . 

Library and apparatus, 



$12,500 

30,000 

5,000 



$47,500 



21 

I would propose to raise by subscription ^50,000, in shares of 
$50 each, to be loaned the first three years without interest. 

To induce subscribers, I would allow anyone who took twenty 
shares, to send one pupil to tho school; the interest on his shares 
compensating for the board and tuition. To anyone who would 
subscribe for ten shares, I would allow to send one pupil upon 
payinor one-half of his board and tuition. To any one who would 
take five shares, I would allow the liberty of sending to the col- 
lege infirmary for medical or surgical treatment, one diseased or 
disabled horse annually; and any one who would subscribe for 
one share, should be entitled, annually, to have a horse examined 
by a Professor, and to receive a certificate of his soundness or 
unsoundness. 

In the distribution of the animals whose breeds are improved, 
I would propose that a preference should always be given to sub- 
scribers to the College. 

Such is the Institution I would propose. It is natural that I 
should prefer seeing it located in my native State, and to her I 
first offer it. There are in Pennsylvania upwards of fifty cities 
and counties. If in each, individuals could be found to subscribe 
for only twenty shares, the College would be endowed, and the 
benefits of the institution be spread all over the State. If ten from 
each county only could be obtained, is it not probable that the 
Legislature would assist ? It is not well to be too sanguine, but 
it appears to me, that the objects of the Veterinary College are 
sufficiently national and important to induce Congress to inter- 
fere. The three Veterinary Colleges in France, are, as before 
said. Governmental Institutions, and the British Veterinary School 
has shared the bounty of Parliament. It is stated in Rees* Cy- 
clopaedia, that important savings have resulted to the English na- 
tion, from the appointment of Veterinary Surgeons, (graduates of 
this School) to the different regiments of British Cavalry.* 

I am persuaded that an Insurance upon the lives of horses 
would be found very useful in the United States, and an Institu- 
tion of that character might be connected with a Veterinary Col- 
lege with peculiar advantages. When it was proposed to effect 
insurance upon a horse, who would be so capable to judge of his 
age, health, &c. as those connected with the College? It might 
be made a part of the condition of the Insurance, that the animal, 
if taken sick or injured by accident, should be sent to the College 

* While this little work was printing, I observed in an Eng-lish newspaper, a 
letter from Sir Francis Burdett to Lord Melbourne, on the subject of the Royal 
Stud, from which I extract the following-, viz. 

•* The HORSE is a woble akimal, and to encourage his race^ and to bring all his 
"admirable powers and qualifications to perfectiwiy is an object of primary vjl- 
•• TiONAi. cojrcEBS, and has by all Nations, warlike or otherwise, been so con- 
** sidercd — and never mdre «o than at the present moment." 



22 

Infirmary. There he would be treated with the greatest skill 
and kindness, and if any fraud had been committed by the insur- 
er, those connected with the College would in all probability de- 
tect it. On the other hand, the honest owners of valuable animals, 
which, being insured, became diseased, could desire no better 
asylum than the Infirmary of the Institution. 

I have endeavored to show, and I trust have shown, that the 
School would be a profitable concern; but should I be, in this, 
mistaken, the life insurance might contribute its aid; for it is con- 
fidently believed that such an institution, well conducted, could 
not fail to be popular and profitable in the United States. It is 
well known that in almost every commercial city of the Union, 
where there exists companies who insure against losses by fire, 
and at sea, as well as upon the lives of men, that frequent appli- 
cations have been made to insure the lives of horses; but to this 
their charters do not extend. In Paris they insure the lives of 
horses, but the amount insured is very limited, nevertheless the 
companies who efiect it, are esteemed the most profitable in that 
vast metropolis. 

It must be recollected, that a horse is perishable property, 
and therefore high priced; few can afford to incur the risque 
of a total loss, and many would be glad to insure their lives. — 
The horse in his educated state is not a hardy or long lived ani- 
mal Some live to twenty-five, but by far, the greater majority 
are worn out at thirteen. 

' Should it be thought expedient to connect the two institutions, 
the capital must, of course, be increased. The insurance part might 
be under the direction of a President and Directors chosen by the 
stockholders; and owners of stock in other States might be con- 
stituted agents to receive and forward applications to msure. 

If the proposed Institution had in view the singte object of 
improving the breeds of domestic animals in the United States, 
might I not appeal with confidence to the enlightened and patri- 
otic Agriculturist of the Union to aid in its erection and support. 
And to them, in conclusion, I do appeal — earnestly begging them 
to bear in mind, that they have it now in their power to assem- 
ble together a band of learned and experienced men — whose 
education and habits will fit them for the station, — whose occu- 
pations will necessarily connect them with persons of the highest 
intellectual standing in Foreign countries — and who will be wil- 
ling to devote their talents and energies to this important subject. 



^. 



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